MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources has prohibited the sale and consumption of shellfish from 11 areas all over the country due to the surge of red tide toxins.
The infested bays included the coastal waters of Dauis and Tagbilaran City in Bohol; Tambobo Bay, Siaton, in Negros Oriental; Daram Island, Cambatutay and Irong-irong bays in Western Samar; Calubian and Cancabato Bay, Tacloban City, in Leyte; Murcielagos Bay in Zamboanga del Norte; Balete Bay, Mati City, in Davao Oriental; and Lianga and Bislig bays in Surigao del Sur.
The term “red tide” is used to describe algal blooms where the water is discolored by a high concentration of toxic and nontoxic algae.
The discoloration may also appear yellow, brown, green or blue depending on the algae involved.